Personal development 1

What is a human being ?

The human body

is a physical construction. It is not consciously aware of itself or its surroundings. It is genetically programmed and physiologically controlled and has therefore a limited potential for development.

The human mind

interacts intimately with the physical body but is radically different. The mind can not be measured by physical methods, neither be objectively viewed from without. Only our own personal experience can provide direct knowledge of  the minds imagery.

Natural science considers the mind as a result of chemical and physiological functions of the brain. But there is still a great confusion and lack of clarity about the genuine nature of the mind.

The human individual

has a body but is also aware of himself, his body, and that what seems to be outside the body. He can look at other people and at the surrounding world, come to his own con-clusions and learn from them. Thus his self-awareness increases together with his know-ledge of the world. The potential of mental development in a human individual is large and its utmost borders are not known.

The individual is living in a surrounding world

A childs behavior is from the beginning of its life totally based on the experience of its own feelings and sensations. But very soon the child has to learn how to adapt to a world of which it has no knowledge. The child has to learn to think, react and act in certain ways to avoid - or abstain from creating - insecure and potentially harmful situations. In this way we all grow up to capable human beings. But deep below our social role-playing, whether conscious or not, we still hide the childs innermost experience of self-worth and natural right to freedom.

The ideal life situation

is a functioning and optimal balance betweeen body and mind and between ourselves and the surrounding world.

The desired mental life situation

implies that we can identify ourselves with certain social roles in order to create more harmony and avoid disharmony. In this way we can experience that we fit in and will feel more comfortable and secure.

An unwanted life situation

arises when changes and losses threaten our security. Anxiety, grief and anger emerge and become strong stressors.

In a tough life situation

do we not fit in any more! Our attempts to harmonize with the surrounding world does not bear fruit, partly because of lack of understanding of ourselves and the world around. We feel disturbed and unsecure and so the levels of stress are rising.

Mental consequenses

of prolonged frustration with feelings of loss of power and helplessness are common!

We learn from life !

Do we need more ?

When the road comes to an end then change,

when you have changed you will get through.

                                                                                  I Ching

If my problems

constitute all there is in life,

it’s time to change this experience.

Break out

from your confinement with small

new experiences in everyday life!

When everyday life

is more than preoccupation with problems we will have more energy to solve our problems.